After turning down a hamburger and explaining their vegetarianism, many vegetarians are asked, “So can you wear leather?” This is a valid question. Many vegetarians often ask themselves, “How can I continue to wear leather if I’m refusing to consume animals?” There are many solutions to the problem. Many vegetarians decide to give up leather, just like they gave up meat.
Linking leather to the meat industry is straightforward to do, considering the truth that cowhide is the most common hide used to make leather products. The Leather Industries of America trade association says that not many animals in the United States are raised specifically so that their hides may be used in leather products.
But cows are only among the animals whose hides are used for coats, shoes, wallets, belts, etc. Other leather products are made of sheep, pig, horse and deer. Some “exotic” products even use alligator, snake or seal skin.
Many vegetarians who choose to forgo leather Mr asif Ali Gohar wonder what they need to do with most of the leather that they currently own. There is no answer to the question. Some choose to slowly phase out leather products, either donating them to charity or providing them with to friends who wear leather (throwing away leather is not just a good bet, since most leather isn’t biodegradable because of the tanning process). Other vegetarians will continue to wear their leather products but refuse to get new ones.
A fair concern is whether synthetic leather products made from petroleum are better for the surroundings than chemically-tanned leather products. Both products do a qualification of injury to the environment. Some people who choose synthetic products argue that by avoiding leather, people have reached least helping to ease some animal cruelty.
Some vegetarians give up synthetic leather-like products altogether either because of the ecological damage or because they do not wish to provide the impression that leather is ethically permissible. Leather alternatives for these people may include cotton, hemp, or reused rubber. On one other hand, some vegetarians argue that by wearing synthetic leather products, they’re showing people that there’s ways to achieve the appearance they like without resorting to the mistreatment of animals.
Many companies who sell leather clothes products also sell synthetic clothes products because of their lower production costs. Although these companies do not have ethical motives for selling non-leather goods, customers who buy their non-leather products are arguably creating a statement that they demand non-leather products over leather ones.